Surgery Break Back In A Few Weeks

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The Scoop

I just got back to blogging after our big move and now I have to give it up again for at least a few weeks. I didn’t even get my newsletters going yet. Ugh. But things could be worse so I will be grateful and take what life hands me and deal.

Here’s the thing. I have a tiny dry spot on my face (you can barely see it) and it has been there for a long time. I got it looked at a couple of times but the treatments didn’t clear it up. We finally did a biopsy and found it was Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This is the second most common skin cancer with good outcomes if caught early.

I am scheduled for Mohs Surgery on Monday, October 18. It is an all day out-patient procedure where they cut off tiny layers of skin, run the pathology and repeat until they get to a layer that is cancer free. I don’t have to be put under, they use a topical numbinng product. I will just take a book, some snacks and ride the day out! Ha ha.

It is reported that 40 to 50% of adults will get some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. This form of skin cancer is mostly caused by sun damage and using tanning beds. Although I don’t have a family history of skin cancer I didn’t do the best with sun protection.

I grew up in the midwest riding horses all the time, camping, fishing and loving the great outdoors. I never thought much about the sun but I didn’t ever burn or notice doing any real sun damage. I used a moisterizer with an SPF of 15 daily starting in my 30s. I have always been big into running and hiking and walking too but without sunscreen.

The really bad thing I did was use tanning beds occasionally in my 30s. I thought they would never make them availabe if they were dangerous. I was wrong. It’s up to us to research things and take care of ourselves. No one will do it for us. My words of wisdom, if you see something different, run don’t walk to the doctor. Don’t think it is nothing just check and make sure.

So anyway gang, I am taking a few weeks off. I will have a bandage on my face and I am not supoosed to exercise or lift for two to three weeks while my wound heals. All I can say is poop! Ha ha.

Please keep my in mind and use your sun protection and stay out of tanning beds.

Fun With Fashion

When I got this dress over the summer, the colors right away reminded me of autumn. I could see ways that it would carry me all the way through fall and even winter, especially in Arizona. I love it when that happens.

For fall I could see a button down shirt over it or a tee under it. I could see sneakers and rain boots too. I could see all sorts of booties and if it was really chilly, knee high boots. Oh the sweaters you could wear over it, from oversized pull overs to long chunky cardigans. And don’t get me started on all the bags you could carry along with fun hats.

Who would have thought a floral dress could bring so much creativity and inspiration to mind. But I kind of always go that direction with clothes.

The bag always makes me laugh. I have no idea why.

These colors are so fall good!

My Look

For this post I added a brown corduroy shirt, brown booties and a hat. I thought just to be sassy I would carry this tote that I think is so funny. I wore the shirt like a jacket but also thought it was fun to tie at the waist for a different look.

Keeping a smile on my face!

Create Your Own Look

So here is your challenge. Pick out one of your summer dresses and make it work for fall. Add elements that make you think, “autumn style.” Pick things that make you smile.

I got this dress at Walmart over the summer. You can see how I styled it here. I will link options for things you might already have or want for your look. Like my same shirt that comes in so many colors and is true to size. Similar booties and similar hats.

And seriously I would go nuts with booties! There are so many cute styles and they all look great with dresses! I am wearing Marc Fisher but Steve Madden has some killer booties this season and Vince Camuto is always one of my favorite brands.

I love how I alwaays match my picture behind me. Ha ha.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace!